How do systems, processes, and practices safeguard people from abuse?

Over the next few months, we will be exploring the CQC key lines of enquiry by each question and sharing resources we think you might find useful.

IS IT SAFE? Safeguarding and protection from abuse - How do systems, processes and practices safeguard people from abuse*?

What is Abuse?

Abuse can be physical, sexual, mental or physical, financial, neglect, institutional or discriminatory abuse.

Is Your Service Safe - Safeguarding and Protection from abuse

Question	Prompt
S1.1	How are safeguarding systems, processes and practices developed, implemented and communicated to staff?
S1.2	How do systems, processes and practices protect people from abuse, neglect, harassment and breaches of their dignity and respect? How are these monitored and improved?
S1.3	How are people protected from discrimination, which might amount to abuse or cause psychological harm? This includes harassment and discrimination in relation to protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
S1.4	How are people supported to understand what keeping safe means, and how are they encouraged and empowered to raise any concerns they may have about this? If people are subject to safeguarding enquiries or an investigation, are they offered an advocate if appropriate or required?

Potential sources of evidence
People & their carers, friends and relatives: • Experiences of safeguarding processes. • Any experiences of discrimination, and how it was dealt with. • Whether people feel safe from abuse, and that their rights, preferences and dignity are respected. • Whether people feel their personal property is safe and respected. • Experience of raising concerns. • Access to relevant information. CRM (Customer Relations Management) • Share your experience forms. • Notifications. • Safeguarding alerts. • Coroners Reports. • Information of concern enquiries. Organisations Feedback about whether / how: • Assessments, care planning and practice keep people safe from abuse. • National and local safeguarding policies, processes and guidance are followed. • The service prevents and responds to abuse and discrimination and promotes equality Staff • Awareness of safeguarding policies, guidance, procedures, standards and responsibilities and how to appropriately apply in practice. • How staff contribute to safeguarding people from abuse, neglect, harassment. • Experiences of safeguarding training & guidance in practice. • Awareness of people’s preferences in relation to the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. • Experiences of organisational expectations, culture and approach to equality. • How staff contribute to preventing & responding to discrimination. Observation • Good practice guidance and standards in day to day use. • Interactions between staff and people. • Premises, including peoples’ personal space is appropriately secure. Records and policies • Safeguarding records, including alerts, investigations and outcomes and notifications • Complaints and compliments. • Assessments and care planning identify and address discrimination and ensure equal access to services and support to keep people safe. • Staff training and induction.